Went back to the room to grab actyper, and met up with another guy from 2+2, and made our way down to the Golden Nugget. Obv it was the first time I was downtown, and by the looks of it I will probably hang around the strip for the rest of my trip. Saw adanthar at the buffet line, and formally put some screennames to faces. The buffet was alright, but nothing to write home about. After the buffet, we proceeded downstairs to "The Grand" where they had private tables setup for us. I ended up at a table with 4_2_it (Joe - aka the guy who set this all up), and a bunch other guys. We played 2/4 drunk limit where between myself and Joe (the LAGtards at the table), for the first hour or so of Omaha8, Double-flop omaha, double flop hold'em, whatever we were playing, it would be 3 bet blind after it gets by us. Bought in for $300 and ended up cashing out for $200. With the amount of booze I drank, it was definitely cheaper than going out to a club/bar and buying alcohol.
Briefly played with David Sklansky, Dan Harrington and Ray Zee at one point or another during the night. Ray Zee called me a nit before even sitting down and Sklansky folded the eventual winning hand in double flop omaha. Montel Williams popped by the Nugget and started a $500 SnG...I would've played but didn't carry too much cash on me so I stuck with donking around the 2/4 table. Decided to leave the Nugget at around midnight, and hooked up with another 2p2er while waiting for a cab. While actyper went home, Greg and I went over to a new strip club that he recommended to check it out. Nothing special really and it was off the strip a bit, very small compared to Sapphire and it seemed pretty empty where it appeared that dancers outnumbered clients...wasn't there for long before heading back to Mandalay Bay for the night
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Day 3 - July 3rd Part 1
One problem with trying to write a trip report a few days after the actual day, is that you will probably forget some things you did if it wasn't poker related. The writing of this blog post probably will span a couple of hours while I attempt to piece together that event of the day.
Actyper woke up pretty early and headed out to play Day 1 of the Main Event. I wished him luck on his way out and quickly fell back to sleep. I was supposed to play in the Caesar's Mega Stack, but I remember waking up late and was too late for late registration by the time I arrived at Caesar's Palace. I wandered around the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace for some time, and had my first of many gelatos of this trip. With my gelato in hand, I wander through the shops, and as actyper predicted, Pete Rose was again signing autographs at the sports memorabilia shop inside.
Once I got bored of wandering (I had no intentions to buy anything big this trip as I have no luggage space), I decided to head to the Rio to check out the festivities that is Day 1A of the WSOP Main Event - and at the same time to see what the Gaming Life Expo (GLE) is all about. The GLE was a disappointment IMO, with the exception of the 2p2 booth which stoodout, and at the same time was very professional without the aid of models in short shorts and tank tops. I strolled through the expo and preceeded into the Amazon room. Barry Greenstein was playing at one of the tables by the rail, and there were about 20 railbirds at various point watching him play. Scotty Nguyen was playing at the ESPN feature table, so I decided to sit in the audience for a bit. A mid-late 20s female railbird joined me in the stands and she was definitely not a physically unattractive individual by any mean either. We talked for awhile and found out she was here with a couple of friends who are playing in the ME but couldn't locate them so she decided to just sit and watch Scotty for awhile. I ended up watching for about half an hour before deciding that watching was too boring so I went back to Mandalay Bay and shot craps for awhile before the evening 2+2 gathering.
More on the 2+2 gathering in the next post.
Actyper woke up pretty early and headed out to play Day 1 of the Main Event. I wished him luck on his way out and quickly fell back to sleep. I was supposed to play in the Caesar's Mega Stack, but I remember waking up late and was too late for late registration by the time I arrived at Caesar's Palace. I wandered around the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace for some time, and had my first of many gelatos of this trip. With my gelato in hand, I wander through the shops, and as actyper predicted, Pete Rose was again signing autographs at the sports memorabilia shop inside.
Once I got bored of wandering (I had no intentions to buy anything big this trip as I have no luggage space), I decided to head to the Rio to check out the festivities that is Day 1A of the WSOP Main Event - and at the same time to see what the Gaming Life Expo (GLE) is all about. The GLE was a disappointment IMO, with the exception of the 2p2 booth which stoodout, and at the same time was very professional without the aid of models in short shorts and tank tops. I strolled through the expo and preceeded into the Amazon room. Barry Greenstein was playing at one of the tables by the rail, and there were about 20 railbirds at various point watching him play. Scotty Nguyen was playing at the ESPN feature table, so I decided to sit in the audience for a bit. A mid-late 20s female railbird joined me in the stands and she was definitely not a physically unattractive individual by any mean either. We talked for awhile and found out she was here with a couple of friends who are playing in the ME but couldn't locate them so she decided to just sit and watch Scotty for awhile. I ended up watching for about half an hour before deciding that watching was too boring so I went back to Mandalay Bay and shot craps for awhile before the evening 2+2 gathering.
More on the 2+2 gathering in the next post.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Update
I'm done with MTTs in Vegas - went 1/5 (or 6 - something like that), so its good news bad news. Good news is that I had my first ever live MTT cash, bad news was that I missed out on cashing for a big score.
I cashed in the $330 Venetian Deep Stack tournament yesterday (July 7th), but had I won the last pot when I moved in with A6 vs. KQ for about 10BB against an aggressive LP, I would've put myself in good position for possibly the final table (or at least the final 2 tables) but it wasn't meant to be. I'm definitely not complaining about this cash after how bad I ran this week - but still no where close to some guys who are 0 for 20 or so from this year's WSOP.
I'll probably write a detailed report on the flight back or something starting from after day 2.
I cashed in the $330 Venetian Deep Stack tournament yesterday (July 7th), but had I won the last pot when I moved in with A6 vs. KQ for about 10BB against an aggressive LP, I would've put myself in good position for possibly the final table (or at least the final 2 tables) but it wasn't meant to be. I'm definitely not complaining about this cash after how bad I ran this week - but still no where close to some guys who are 0 for 20 or so from this year's WSOP.
I'll probably write a detailed report on the flight back or something starting from after day 2.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
July 4th, Pure, Fireworks
Just a quick update. Been partying it up quite a bit lately, going to start playing a couple of tournaments after the fight tomorrow evening. Had a blast at Pure tonight with open bar + July 4th fireworks at the hottest club in Vegas. Sweated Watts for a bit and he's pretty huge so far last I was in touch with him with over 100K. Other than that I will have a more detailed TR for day 3 and 4 when I'm sober.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Vegas Trip - Day 2
Day 2 – July 2, 2008
Woke up at 9am or so, and got a message from actyper saying he has an extra bed in his room in Mandalay Bay, so I migrated to his room as a bed and some personal space beats crashing on a couch in the living room no matter how nice of a mansion the couch is in.
The Mandalay Bay buffet seems ok at first, but I will definitely have to rethink that at the conclusion of this trip. Headed out to Caesar’s Palace to play in their Mega Stack Series. Bumped into Buddy (BlondeFish) prior to the beginning of the tournament, and the tournament started pretty much on time with t7500 starting chips and 50 minutes level.
The table makeup is pretty weird, for the most part the table is very loose passive preflop, but occasionally a hand would be 3-betted.
First hand of note (hero was not involved) was also seat 8’s first hand, about 15 minutes into the level.
Effective stacks – t7500
Blinds 25/50, and Seat 7 raises to 225, and seat 8 announces raise and tosses in 2 1000 chips and 1 25 chip. Now note that the 1000 chip and the 100 chip looks somewhat similar, with another player at the table making the similar mistake earlier. Carrying on – seat 7 calls after a minute or so of thought.
Flop comes Q 10 2 rainbow
Seat 7 leads for 2000, and Seat 8 announces all-in almost instantly. Seat 7 thinks about 30 seconds, and calls. Here I was thinking there is AQ vs. KK, or AA vs. QQ, or QQ vs. 1010, but it turns out Seat 8 has a set with 1010, but seat 7 had AJ. Turn came as a 2, which filled up the boat for seat 8, and seat 7 is left with 475. Those chips went in the next hand with 93o and the BB called by K7ss, both players missed the board completely and the player is gone.
The table was super quiet, outside of the initial talk with the dealer despite my effort to start up a conversation with the guy to my right or left.
Next hand comes up with 50/100, and hero stack is t6500~ with villain’s stack t9500~
Hero is on the button with QQ. Villain limped in behind 2 other limpers and hero raises to 600 and was called by villain in MP.
Flop comes K 6 2 with 2 spades
Villain checks to hero and hero bets 900. Villain check-raises to 3000. Hero briefly thought about jamming but decided that villain’s body language doesn’t seem right as he looked very comfortable and confident and decided to fold.
Final hand of the tournament comes about a couple of orbits later towards to the end of the 50/100 level.
Hero t5500~, villain t7000~
Hero raises to 300 in MP with 1010, and player on the button calls and blinds fold. Villain in this hand has been pretty tight for the most part and hasn’t been involved much.
Flop comes Q 10 9 – not a dream flop but can’t complain flopping a set. Hero follows with a bet of 475, which villain raises to to 1500. I decided that this board is draw heavy enough and with the villain’s play so far, he is probably calling a shove so I shove for 5500 or so. Villain thinks, and calls with QJ. Turn was a 6 but river brought a K and hero is now 0/1 in tournaments in Vegas.
Barely getting any sleep the night before, I retreated to the hotel room to nap before the Bluff’s Poker Party at Sapphire while intending to go to the Rio to sweat Watts until he texted saying he was busted so I catch my with the blogging.
Stopped by the Card Runners party at the Rio before headed to Sapphire for the Bluff poker party – it was an open bar and all. Just got back from it and met a few friends and put some faces on online handles. Doyle and Todd Brunson, along with other pros whom are affiliated with Doyle’s Room were also in attendance. Hitting the sack now and will either play the Caesar’s tournament tomorrow or just hang out at the Rio until the 2+2 gathering at the Golden Nugget.
Woke up at 9am or so, and got a message from actyper saying he has an extra bed in his room in Mandalay Bay, so I migrated to his room as a bed and some personal space beats crashing on a couch in the living room no matter how nice of a mansion the couch is in.
The Mandalay Bay buffet seems ok at first, but I will definitely have to rethink that at the conclusion of this trip. Headed out to Caesar’s Palace to play in their Mega Stack Series. Bumped into Buddy (BlondeFish) prior to the beginning of the tournament, and the tournament started pretty much on time with t7500 starting chips and 50 minutes level.
The table makeup is pretty weird, for the most part the table is very loose passive preflop, but occasionally a hand would be 3-betted.
First hand of note (hero was not involved) was also seat 8’s first hand, about 15 minutes into the level.
Effective stacks – t7500
Blinds 25/50, and Seat 7 raises to 225, and seat 8 announces raise and tosses in 2 1000 chips and 1 25 chip. Now note that the 1000 chip and the 100 chip looks somewhat similar, with another player at the table making the similar mistake earlier. Carrying on – seat 7 calls after a minute or so of thought.
Flop comes Q 10 2 rainbow
Seat 7 leads for 2000, and Seat 8 announces all-in almost instantly. Seat 7 thinks about 30 seconds, and calls. Here I was thinking there is AQ vs. KK, or AA vs. QQ, or QQ vs. 1010, but it turns out Seat 8 has a set with 1010, but seat 7 had AJ. Turn came as a 2, which filled up the boat for seat 8, and seat 7 is left with 475. Those chips went in the next hand with 93o and the BB called by K7ss, both players missed the board completely and the player is gone.
The table was super quiet, outside of the initial talk with the dealer despite my effort to start up a conversation with the guy to my right or left.
Next hand comes up with 50/100, and hero stack is t6500~ with villain’s stack t9500~
Hero is on the button with QQ. Villain limped in behind 2 other limpers and hero raises to 600 and was called by villain in MP.
Flop comes K 6 2 with 2 spades
Villain checks to hero and hero bets 900. Villain check-raises to 3000. Hero briefly thought about jamming but decided that villain’s body language doesn’t seem right as he looked very comfortable and confident and decided to fold.
Final hand of the tournament comes about a couple of orbits later towards to the end of the 50/100 level.
Hero t5500~, villain t7000~
Hero raises to 300 in MP with 1010, and player on the button calls and blinds fold. Villain in this hand has been pretty tight for the most part and hasn’t been involved much.
Flop comes Q 10 9 – not a dream flop but can’t complain flopping a set. Hero follows with a bet of 475, which villain raises to to 1500. I decided that this board is draw heavy enough and with the villain’s play so far, he is probably calling a shove so I shove for 5500 or so. Villain thinks, and calls with QJ. Turn was a 6 but river brought a K and hero is now 0/1 in tournaments in Vegas.
Barely getting any sleep the night before, I retreated to the hotel room to nap before the Bluff’s Poker Party at Sapphire while intending to go to the Rio to sweat Watts until he texted saying he was busted so I catch my with the blogging.
Stopped by the Card Runners party at the Rio before headed to Sapphire for the Bluff poker party – it was an open bar and all. Just got back from it and met a few friends and put some faces on online handles. Doyle and Todd Brunson, along with other pros whom are affiliated with Doyle’s Room were also in attendance. Hitting the sack now and will either play the Caesar’s tournament tomorrow or just hang out at the Rio until the 2+2 gathering at the Golden Nugget.
Vegas Trip - Day 1
Day 1 – July 1, 2008
My first trip to Vegas began ironically on Canada Day, and I’ve been anticipating this trip since the plane ticket was booked at the end of May. With all this excitement the last few days leading up to the trip, the first day was big let down. Not that I was expecting to fly first class, picked up by limos and sit beside Maria Sharapova on the flight, but what occurred was a true definition of running bad in life. Things started off when I woke up and left Toronto for Buffalo in the morning, things didn’t get so bad really on the trip across the border, nor did customs take overly long. I was however stuck in a bus with an annoying Chinese woman whom found every single excuse to complain under her breath once we crossed the border to the American side. She got agitated originally due to the apparent “unclear” instructions from the bus driver when someone on the bus did not go through secondary customs with their bag, which resulted in about a 15-minute delay once the mistake was discovered. 15 minutes is really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but she simply ran with the “driver error” for not giving clear instructions despite the fact that they are not allowed to give any instructions and found every chance to complain, mutter, and curse under her breath.
Upon arrival to the Buffalo International Airport, I immediately checked in to drop off one of my luggage, leaving myself with my sling bag and my laptop case. First flight consisted of a loud baby and his non-stop crying, and second flight consisted of an oversized passenger to my right of window seat with no consideration of legroom and elbowroom.
Landed in Vegas at around 10:30pm, and dropped my bags off Watt’s place and headed out immediately to the Rio to check out the action and start losing money. Here is a some poker content.
Rio $175 satellite – 10 handed.
Pretty awful structure with t1000 starting chips and 15 minutes blinds. However, the competition is so soft that it is +ev for most players who may read this who have a small idea of how to play poker and pushing/calling ranges.
First hand of interest in the satellite came at the 25/50 level.
Hero’s Stack 850, MP’s Stack 1500~, SB’s stack 1200~
MP’s been active raising and taking down pots by opening in position, and again raises to t175 and hero looks down at 88 on the button. I was contemplating between calling and shoving when SB announced all-in. Made my fold easier and it turns out SB has 99 and MP has AJ
Next hand involves the player to my immediate right whom have raised on the button/CO regularly and blinds are now 50/100.
Hero’s stack 850, villain 1200~
Villain raises to t300 and hero jams A10ss and villain thinks for a few seconds and says “I can’t fold even if I’m behind” and calls with AJ.
Flopped was A 3 5, and turn was another 5 to give me a few more chop outs. River was a 6 and I’m quickly down on the trip.
Another satellite was about to begin when I busted out so I decided to drop another $275 down on a satellite where starting stack is increased to t1500 and you get 20 minutes blinds.
Nothing really interesting happens, but 7 of the 10 players (including myself) got in a $20 last longest (started with $100, no one was interested except for one guy, dropped to $50, 4 in total and another guy “do $20 and I’m in” and we got 7 into it) but in general the table seemed like they had a bit of an idea of what they were doing, it consisted of a mix of grinders/regulars, and a couple of tourists. Table played pretty tight from the beginning and I chipped up a bit to t3000 or so when this hand came up.
Blinds 50/100, Hero’s stack 2800~, villain 2100~
Villain limps in MP, and hero raises to 400 on the cutoff with JJ, blinds fold and MP calls.
Flop Q 6 4
Hero makes a continuation bet of 600, and villain ask some questions before announcing all-in which forces hero to fold.
Blinds get to 100/200 and hero shoves QJ in the CO with 1400~, SB reshoves with 1010.
Flop was Q J 9, turn brought a 6 and river brought a K and busto again.
Went to watch the heads up match between Marty Smyth and Peter Jetten – “apathy” online. I thought the heads up match lasted like 15 hands or so, but it turns out it lasted 30 hands. Last hand was a cooler even by PLO terms when both guys flopped the nut straight but Marty had a royal flush draw and a full house draw, freerolling Jetten. Club on the river gives the bracelet to Marty.
Also railed the FT of the $1500 HORSE where Hellmuth was going for his 12th bracelet. The rail was about 3-4 deep with guys cheering for/against Hellmuth. Nothing interesting to note since I only watched a few hands, but as soon as Hellmuth busted out the crowd thinned and there were about 15 railbirds when it got down to heads up.
Sweated Watts until the completion of play in the limit shootout and saw a hand between him and Kenna James with KK vs. AA. He finished the day with 30500. Ended the night back at his place and met the other guys (LearnedFromTV, adanthar, Bond18 etc).
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